ICAR-CIFRI Raises Awareness among Farmers on Sustainable Agriculture under Khet Bachao Abhiyaan in Latehar, Jharkhand

June 2026 : Reinforcing the national commitment towards sustainable agriculture and natural resource conservation, ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI), Barrackpore organized a farmers’ awareness programme under the Khet Bachao Abhiyaan at the Bachhra Reservoir site in Bariyatu Block of Latehar district, Jharkhand on 27 June 2026.

Conducted under the guidance of Dr. Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, the programme focused on promoting climate-resilient and environmentally responsible farming practices. A total of 88 farmers, including 53 men and 35 women, actively participated in the event, reflecting the growing interest of farming communities in sustainable agricultural development.

The programme was graced by Shri Sunil Oraon, GP Member, while Dr. A.K. Das, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIFRI, led technical deliberations and interacted with the participants. Scientists highlighted the core objectives of the Khet Bachao Abhiyaan, emphasizing the importance of soil health management, balanced fertilizer use, natural farming approaches, water conservation, and judicious utilization of natural resources.

Addressing the gathering, experts underscored that sustainable management of soil and water resources is crucial for enhancing farm productivity, reducing environmental degradation, and ensuring long-term livelihood security for rural communities. Farmers were encouraged to adopt eco-friendly agricultural practices that can improve resilience to climatic uncertainties while safeguarding natural ecosystems.

Reflecting on the event, Dr. Dey, highlighted the ecological consequences of indiscriminate fertiliser use, including soil degradation, nutrient losses, and declining aquatic health. He stressed the importance of soil test–based nutrient management, balanced fertilisation, biofertilisers, and organic amendments for sustainable agriculture and fisheries. Dr. Dey further emphasized that nature-based interventions, such as scientific vermicomposting and sustainable inland fisheries management, can improve resource-use efficiency, reduce input costs, and contribute to the realization of Viksit Bharat.

The programme concluded with an interactive session where farmers exchanged experiences, raised field-level concerns, and received practical guidance from scientists on sustainable farming technologies. The awareness initiative successfully strengthened farmers’ understanding of resource conservation and reaffirmed ICAR-CIFRI’s commitment to promoting sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture in the region.